The previously rumored Windows Mobile 2005/Magneto is now official, known as Windows Mobile 5.0. Along with the Microsoft announcement, HP and Dell were quick to come out with statements that they will be providing upgrades for their latest WM2003 SE machines for an undetermined cost, which is great news. Software developers were also quick to state that their apps will be compatible with the new OS, including PhatWare, Abidia Wireless, and several more (listed on the Windows Mobile press page). For a nice breakdown of all the new and improved features in the latest OS, I recommend you check out the Pocket PC Magazine article. I can't wait to upgrade my Axim X50v to Windows Mobile 5.0, and I think Microsoft has another winner here.

USER COMMENTS 10 comment(s)

What? back to the “version” labeling(10:06am EST Wed May 11 2005)instead of the “model year”? - by arrrgh

why not(10:39am EST Wed May 11 2005)MS can now keep a version of windows mobile for more than two years. with the PC OS's the labeling of 95,98, 2000 drew attetion to how outdated the os was, now MS has junked the year labels they can use this for a much longer time. - by woot

Kind of hard to say(11:57am EST Wed May 11 2005)I kind of think it is stupid to call something Software 10.0, Software 23.4, I mean, its like Friday the 13th sequels, how many are you going to release, and how many versions do you need to get it right?

At least with year models, you know when it was released, and your not locked into some rediculously high model number.

Of course, you can do like Apple, use X and just version it with point releases, but that will only last for 5 more versions. Of course, how many large breed cats are there anyways, I can't wait for OSX Ocelot?

But it is true, I mean, Windows 2003 Server is Microsofts flagship OS product, and its already 2 years out of date. It will be 3-4 years behind by the time a server based on Longhorn rolls around.

Then there is Windows XP 64, which unfortunately adopts a Nintendo like approach to software naming (Mario 64, Zelda 64, etc).

So, it is hard to say what to do for software versioning, so just go with the flow, at least it isn't as bad as CPU branding which make no sense at all.

- by Tp[jer

The reason for not using numbered versions(12:49pm EST Wed May 11 2005)As I recall it, Microsoft chose to name Chicago “Windows 95″ instead of “Windows 4.0″ since they were afraid that the customers would consider a *.0 product immature and wait for *.1- by Martin